The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-10-15
FARMERS. WIVES.


In discussing the reasons why so few
boys born and bred on the farm follow
their fathers calling. there is one that
is entirely creditable to them and that
is too little considered. Most of them
expect to marry some day. and seeing
how hard time their mothers usually
have, are properly unwilling to oblige
the girls they love to assume such ar
duous responsibilities. In fact they
can not oblige girl to become farm
er's wife if they would. The time for
such obligation has not yet come, and
in ninety-nine cases out of one hum
dred. ambitious girls, who like a man
well enough for himself, suppress their
feelings and give him the go-by, If this
be the prospect in life that he holds out
.'for better or for worse" 1t is, I'M
fortunately. not altogether prejudice
that thus influences young women
against the farm, or rather it is the
natural prejudgment of their own fate
from the facts in farmers wives expo
riences with which they are themselves
| familiar.
Undoubtedly the greatest improve
ment in farming life now needed con-
sists in greater comforts and con-
veniences for farmers wives The
farmer himself has all sorts of labor
saving machinery. The wife often has
to do with only the same conveniences
provided for her mother and grand
mother before her. As social duties
become more exacting her time and
leisure are less than formerly. Chill
dren on the farm do not trough it, as
much as they used to. just all the
difference in their appearance marks
SO much the greater care thrown upon
the mother. 1t is more difficult than
formerly to get good help in the house
in the country. Girls who work in
private families prefer city life. They.
| too, had rather find beau among tho
young men in some city avocation than
On farm. Now, as far as possible, a
/ farmer should either make his wife's
work proportionately as easy as his
own, or he should quit the business If
satisfied that this can not be done.
Usually the hardest jobs in the house
may be saved by little timely
thoughtfulness on the part of the hus-
band and men folks Having a good
supply of wood or other fuel in con-
venient place ought to be a requirement
from every housewife. So, too, should
good hard and soft water convenient
for use Many steps may be saved by
constructing sewage drains to convey
slops from the house. This drain
should terminate in some receptacle at
a distance from the house, which kept
disinfccted, will more than pay its way
in providing fertilizers for the farm.
1t is presumed that most farmers
wives have sewing machines. They
are as great help in the house as now
ers and harvesters are on the farm, and
may be used many more days in the
year. The ice-house and creamery
should be maintained wherever a COW
is kept. They make great saving in
the labor of caring for milk, and are
besides well worth their cost in making
more and better butter than by the old
laborious methods. The ice-cold milk
from the creamer is an excellent drink
for hard-working men. With every
particle of cream removed, it is as nu-
tritious as it ever was, and its GOODNESS,
combined with nutrition, makes it val
liable for a drink to men in the hay
and harvest fields. Then, too, with
plenty of ice it is easy to have ice cream
easily, made cheaply and better than
nine-tenths of what is sold in cities.
With beautiful homegrown flowers in
the dooryard, and perhaps green
house for them in winter, the farmer
wife need ask no odds of her city sisters
with equal wealth in the pleasures and
refinements of life which each may
enjoy.
I The trouble with most farmers is
that they do not make the most of lit
tie things where they can easily and
cheaply increase the comforts and lux
uries of life. Lacking these, they look
with greater envy on the supposed adj
vantages of city residents, and Of
course become discontinued and I'M
happy. II farmers asked the advice Of
their wives more than they do about
household arrangement, and gave
them their way in these, they would
find the comforts of their homes great
ly increased thereby. Perhaps then
their sons, whom they hope to leave as
prosperous farmers, would not be de-
TERED from their fathers business by
their inability to find lovable and intel
ligent young women willing to share
such life with them.-Boston Budget.